SUV Hire
Gaspé

For a late-day arrival at Gaspé Airport, it’s sensible to allow around 45 to 60 minutes for the vehicle pickup process. As a smaller regional airport, the rental desks may have limited staff during off-peak hours. To ensure a smooth experience, have your reservation details and driving licence to hand. It’s also a good idea to confirm the rental desk’s closing time in advance, especially if your flight might be delayed. Being prepared helps you get on the road without unnecessary stress.

When travelling with bulky kit, an SUV gives the flexible cargo space you need. Before your trip, consider how your equipment will fit and whether you might need features like folding rear seats or a roof rack. At the counter at YGP, you can discuss the vehicle’s configuration with the rental agent. To make loading efficient, have your gear organised and ready so you can pack the vehicle strategically from the start.

The most exposed sections of Route 132, particularly where the road runs along high cliffs or open coastline, demand extra attention in windy conditions. Areas around the northern tip of the peninsula, such as near Forillon National Park, can experience significant crosswinds. In a taller vehicle like an SUV, it’s important to maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel and reduce speed to ensure stability. Stay alert and adapt your driving to the changing coastal weather.

Most accommodations in and around Gaspé are well equipped to handle vehicles of all sizes, including SUVs. You’ll typically find spacious, open-air surface car parks rather than tight multi-storey car parks. This makes manoeuvring and parking a larger vehicle straightforward and stress-free. If you have a particularly large SUV or are towing a small trailer, it can be helpful to call your hotel in advance to confirm their parking arrangements.

Driving from Gaspé Airport to nearby spots like Cap-aux-Os or Haldimand Beach is quite direct. The main road you’ll use is Route 132, which serves as the region’s principal artery. For Cap-aux-Os you generally head east from the airport area, following clear signage for Forillon National Park. To reach Haldimand, head west towards the town of Gaspé. A satnav or a pre-downloaded map will give simple turn-by-turn guidance.

Driving in coastal fog requires a cautious and defensive approach. When you encounter a fog bank, reduce your speed significantly and switch on your dipped headlights, as main beams can reflect off the moisture and worsen visibility. Increase the gap between your vehicle and the one ahead to give yourself more time to react. If conditions become too severe, it’s safest to pull into a designated lay-by and wait for the fog to lift.

Earlier sunsets in autumn mean you should plan your day's explorations to finish before dusk. The winding, unlit rural roads can be challenging to navigate in the dark, and you’ll miss the spectacular scenery. Aim to be at your final viewpoint with time to enjoy it and still drive back to your accommodation during twilight. An SUV’s higher seating position and strong headlights help, but daylight driving is always the safest and most rewarding option for sightseeing.

Mobile service can become unreliable in more remote parts of the Gaspé Peninsula, particularly within the interior of Forillon National Park and on secondary roads away from the main towns. To avoid navigation issues, it’s highly recommended to download maps of the region to your phone for offline use before you set off. This ensures you have reliable turn-by-turn directions even when you’re outside cellular coverage, allowing you to explore with confidence.

To ensure a stress-free start to your boat tour, plan to arrive at the departure point at least 30 to 45 minutes before the scheduled time. First, confirm the exact location, as tours can depart from different harbours like Gaspé, Percé or Rivière-au-Renard. Calculate the driving time using a satnav and then add a generous buffer for possible summer traffic, finding parking and checking in with the operator. This extra time allows you to begin your trip in a relaxed manner.

Driving in the Gaspé region, particularly during the low-light hours of dawn and dusk, requires heightened awareness of wildlife. Moose are the largest and most common animals you might encounter on the roads, and they can be hard to spot. Pay close attention to wildlife crossing signs, which are placed in areas with frequent activity. Reduce your speed and actively scan the sides of the road to give yourself the best chance of spotting an animal with enough time to react safely.

After collecting your SUV from the airport, the most convenient place to stock up on groceries and supplies is the main commercial area of Gaspé town. It’s located just a short and straightforward drive from YGP. You’ll find several large, well-stocked supermarkets with ample parking, making it an easy first stop before heading to your hotel or rental cottage. This allows you to get everything you need at the start of your journey.

Forillon National Park and remote coastal areas offer excellent opportunities for stargazing or catching the sunrise. An SUV is well suited to reach these spots, but it’s crucial to prioritise safety when driving at night. The best strategy is to scout your intended route and parking area during daylight first. That way you’ll be familiar with any unlit turns, narrow sections or unpaved surfaces before navigating them in the dark.

The most reliable source for real-time road conditions, construction updates and closures in the region is the Québec 511 service. You can access this information via their website or by downloading the mobile app before your trip. Local visitor information centres are also excellent resources for current travel advisories. Checking these sources before you set out for a long drive can help you avoid unexpected delays and plan alternative routes if needed.

During the peak summer months of July and August, Route 132 can become quite busy, especially around popular attractions like Percé Rock and Forillon National Park. To enjoy a more relaxed drive, try to schedule your travel for earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon, avoiding the midday rush. The comfort and higher vantage point of an SUV can make navigating slower traffic more pleasant, but timing your drive is the best way to avoid congestion.

While the main highways are modern and wide, some of the smaller coastal villages may have narrower streets or older bridges that require more careful navigation. When driving an SUV, it’s important to be mindful of your vehicle’s size in these tighter spaces. The elevated driving position is an advantage, as it provides better visibility to anticipate sharp turns or narrow passages. Simply reduce your speed and proceed with caution in these charming but compact areas.

The Gaspé Peninsula is ideal for a toddler-friendly road trip because of its many accessible beaches, parks and scenic pull-offs. Plan your day in short driving segments of no more than an hour at a time. Use a map to identify potential stops such as Haldimand Beach or the Cap-des-Rosiers lighthouse for breaks. An SUV’s generous space makes it easy to pack a day bag with snacks, toys and essentials for these frequent and fun interruptions.

When travelling around the Gaspé Peninsula, it’s good practice to refuel whenever you’re in a larger town like Gaspé or Percé. Petrol stations can be sparse in the more rural stretches between villages, and their opening hours may be shorter, especially in the evening or during the off-season. A practical rule of thumb is to fill up when your tank reaches the halfway mark to ensure you don’t run low.

The region is dotted with well-maintained scenic lookouts, known as 'haltes routières', that are specifically designed for travellers. These pull-offs are typically spacious, with plenty of room to easily park an SUV, even with a full carload of passengers and gear. They provide safe and convenient opportunities to stop, stretch your legs and capture stunning photos of the coastline without the hassle of finding street parking in a busy village.

While road signs are in French, they use standard international symbols that are easy to understand for speed limits, stops and warnings. For navigating place names, the most effective tool is a satnav or a smartphone mapping app with audible, turn-by-turn directions. Hearing the French names pronounced by the device makes it much easier to recognise your turn and follow the route correctly, allowing you to focus on the beautiful scenery.

A great way to see a lot without backtracking is to plan a loop drive through Forillon National Park. Start from Gaspé and drive up the north shore of the peninsula on Route 132, exploring the park’s stunning coastline. Then take the road that cuts across the park’s interior to the south shore. This lets you return to Gaspé via a different scenic route, creating a varied and efficient day of exploration.

Access roads to more remote cabins and chalets are often gravel or dirt rather than paved asphalt. These roads may be narrow, winding and can become soft or rutted after heavy rain. Having an SUV, especially one with higher ground clearance, provides extra confidence and a smoother ride on these surfaces. It’s always a good idea to arrive for the first time during daylight to get a clear sense of the road’s condition.

When planning a long drive around the peninsula, it’s best to map out your route with towns and villages as designated break points. These populated areas are where you’ll reliably find restrooms, petrol stations and convenience stores or bakeries for snacks. Services can be infrequent between towns, so it’s wise to take advantage of facilities when you see them. This proactive approach ensures a comfortable and well-supplied journey.

Driving in Québec is very similar to the US, but a few local customs are helpful to know. A flashing green traffic light indicates a protected left turn, giving you right-of-way. Right turns on red are generally permitted after a full stop, unless a sign specifically prohibits it. Local drivers are typically courteous and expect a steady flow of traffic, so use designated passing lanes on highways when needed and avoid driving significantly below the speed limit.

For popular hiking trails, especially within Forillon National Park or near Percé, car parks can fill quickly, particularly on weekends and during peak summer season. The best strategy is to plan on arriving at the trailhead early in the morning, ideally before 10am, to secure a parking space. This not only avoids parking stress but also allows you to enjoy the trails with fewer people and in the cooler morning air.

The ample cargo space in an SUV is ideal for keeping your kit organised on a multi-day trip. Use a large plastic bin or a waterproof duffel specifically for muddy boots and wet rain gear to keep them separate from clean luggage. A small tarp laid in the cargo area can also provide extra protection for the vehicle’s interior. This system makes it easy to access what you need while keeping your mobile basecamp tidy.

Driving after dark in this rural region should be minimised where possible due to unlit roads and the increased presence of wildlife. If you must drive at night, reduce your speed well below the posted limit to increase your reaction time. Use your main beam on empty stretches for better visibility, but be sure to dip them for oncoming traffic. The most important thing is to remain highly alert and focused on the road and its surroundings.

For an early morning flight, check with your rental agency about their specific key-drop or after-hours return procedure. Most airport locations are set up for this. Plan to arrive a little earlier than normal to allow time to locate the rental return area, unload your luggage and complete any final vehicle checks. Taking a few photos of the vehicle’s condition and fuel level can also provide peace of mind after you’ve dropped the keys.

The drive to Gaspé from Montréal or Québec City is substantial, and breaking it up with an overnight stay is highly recommended. Popular and convenient towns for an overnight stop include Rimouski or Matane. Staying in one of these locations lets you enjoy the first leg of the journey at a relaxed pace and start the scenic drive along the peninsula’s coast fresh the next morning.

To balance stunning views with efficiency, use a mix of coastal and inland routes. For the most dramatic scenery, stick to Route 132 as it hugs the coastline. When you need to cover distance more quickly, look for inland roads like Route 198, which can act as a shortcut between points such as Gaspé and Murdochville. This hybrid approach lets you prioritise must-see coastal stretches while saving time on less critical legs of your journey.

The winding coastal roads can be challenging for passengers prone to motion sickness. As the driver, maintaining a smooth and consistent speed with gentle acceleration and braking makes a big difference. Encourage passengers to look forward at the horizon rather than at screens. Keeping fresh air circulating in the SUV and planning frequent breaks to stretch your legs can also help everyone feel more comfortable.

Spring is a lovely time to visit, but the transition from winter can affect road conditions. Be prepared for an increase in potholes, especially on secondary roads, due to the freeze-thaw cycle. You may also encounter road crews actively making repairs, which can cause minor delays. Driving with extra awareness and being prepared to slow down for uneven surfaces will ensure a safe and smooth journey.

After a day of hiking or beachcombing, a good way to clean your gear is to find a self-serve car wash in one of the larger towns like Gaspé. The high-pressure wands are perfect for rinsing mud from hiking boots or sand from beach chairs before you load them back into your SUV. Some campgrounds also have outdoor taps or cleaning stations that can be used for this purpose, helping you keep your vehicle tidy.

An SUV offers a distinct advantage when exploring destinations off the main paved highway. This includes reaching trailheads at the end of long gravel roads, accessing more remote beaches with unpaved parking areas, or navigating access roads to secluded cabins. The higher ground clearance and robust suspension of an SUV offer both capability and peace of mind, opening up more adventurous possibilities than a standard saloon might allow.

For the most dramatic photos, plan your drives around the 'golden hours'—the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. This soft, warm light beautifully illuminates coastal landscapes. To avoid crowds, visit popular spots like the Cap-des-Rosiers lighthouse early in the morning. Use the middle of the day, when the light is harsher, for driving between locations or exploring less-photographed areas.

In summer, Route 132 is a popular route for cyclists and tour buses, which requires some extra patience from drivers. When approaching cyclists, slow down and give them plenty of space, passing only when it is clearly safe to do so. The elevated view in an SUV helps you see further down the road to anticipate slower traffic, such as a tour bus making a wide turn, allowing you to adjust your speed accordingly.

A rainy day can offer a unique and moody perspective on the Gaspé landscape. Plan a drive that focuses on dramatic coastal sections where you can watch the waves crash from the comfort of your SUV. A rainy day is also a perfect opportunity to explore the region’s indoor attractions, such as the Musée de la Gaspésie in Gaspé or the charming shops and cafés in Percé. The drive itself becomes part of the cosy, atmospheric experience.

For a culinary tour, it’s best to map out your desired destinations in advance and group them by location to create an efficient daily route. Check the opening hours for smaller producers or seasonal seafood shacks, as they can vary. An SUV provides plenty of room for a coolbox in the back, so you can safely store any cheese, smoked fish or local microbrews you purchase along your journey.

Instead of following slow-moving vehicles closely, embrace the relaxed pace of the peninsula. When you find yourself behind a slower driver, view it as an opportunity to pull over at the next scenic lookout. This allows you to enjoy a beautiful view, let the traffic clear ahead, and then return to a more open road. This strategy turns potential frustration into a planned, enjoyable part of your scenic drive.

An SUV is the perfect vehicle for a camping trip, as it can easily handle all your gear. When navigating to campgrounds, especially those within national or regional parks, be aware that the final stretch of road may be gravel. It’s always best to plan your arrival during daylight hours, which makes it much easier to find your specific pitch, navigate the campground loops and set up your tent before dark.

A classic and efficient multi-day loop begins by heading north from Gaspé along Route 132 to explore Forillon National Park. From there, continue along the coast towards Percé for an overnight stay to see the famous rock. Finally, complete the loop by driving from Percé back to Gaspé. By planning at least two or three overnight stops, you can explore each area thoroughly without feeling rushed before your return flight from YGP.